Message From Bob Creson

A Message from Bob Creson Francisco Diaz is one of my heroes. He was the young Cakchiquel believer who worked with Cameron Townsend, Founder of Wycliffe Bible Translators, when he first went to Guatemala to distribute Spanish Bibles and tracts. When he met the young Townsend in late 1917, he’d only been a Christian for a few months, but he willingly spent a year with him, traveling through four Central American countries, sharing the good news. It was Francisco who sparked Townsend's vision for Bible translation. Hugh Steven tells this story: “One night camped out on a cold mountain ridge in Guatemala, a young twenty-two-year-old Cameron Townsend sensed a call by God that would change the entire direction of his life. With Cam on that ridge was his Cakchiquel colporteur companion and friend, Francisco Díaz. As the two men shared a simple meal of dried tortillas and a hard-boiled egg washed down with tepid water, Francisco shared (as he had done on several occasions before) his long-held dream for the Cakchiquels to have the Scriptures in the language of his birth. Francisco shared his puzzlement over why the Scriptures they were selling were only available in Spanish. Surely, he wondered, God could speak his Word to the Cakchiquels just as He had done to Spanish-speaking people.” Townsend took the challenge, and his vision was born. A few months later, Francisco died of malaria at the age of 36. He’d been a Christian only a year and a half and Townsend’s co-worker for only a year, but without question, he was faithful to his call: he was the instrument God used to persuade Uncle Cam to switch from Spanish to Cakchiquel, from distributing an existing translation to translating a new one. The eventual result was the organization we call Wycliffe Bible Translators, and the Bible translation movement worldwide was accelerated in a God-energized way. Francisco was a faithful steward, and his contribution to building the Kingdom, though brief, was huge. Now it’s your period of stewardship, and God is on a mission...will you join him? He’s not waiting around in His office for us to find Him. He’s always moving and acting—searching—and His actions are choreographed for a purpose. That purpose is to send a love letter to each and every person that will receive it. God loved the world so much that He gave His Son, His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will have an abundant and eternal life. But what about those who can't understand the message? Who will help? Who will pray, go and tell, and give financially so that this might be possible? The translation of the Bible gives people from every language community the opportunity to hear this message of love in a language that speaks to the deepest part of their being—a language that speaks to their heart. On this website, you’ll find ways to allow God to move in your heart, speaking to you about the needs of the nearly 200 million people still waiting for one word of Scripture in their language. If you spend some time here, you'll find Him speaking to you through spirited advocates, strategic givers, supportive intercessors, and people who are serving in vital roles contributing to the Bible translation movement worldwide. People like you—families like yours—have found ways to express God's love and concern for those waiting for Scriptures. Finally, this website is about opportunity and invitation to be a part of the team, extending this great love story around the world. Remember: Wycliffe needs teachers, administrators, IT professionals, and others—as well as Bible translators. God placed us here for the sake of those not yet included in the Kingdom. Be a part of extending His invitation to people in the language that they understand best—a language that speaks to their heart. Be involved in Bible translation. Bob Creson President Wycliffe USA

Twelve Meals in 3 Hours: Crock Pot to Freezer Meals

I was pretty productive today.  First, Anne and I went grocery shopping, then I made some freezer meals while Anne was napping. I found some great recipes online and decided to make them.   These are not my recipes.  I'm including links to the recipes below.  They were so easy to make and pretty healthy too.

Total Cost: $100 plus some staples we already had at home

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6 Meals, 1 Prep Time

http://www.sidetrackedsarah.com/2013/01/6-meals-one-prep-time-crockpot-freezer-meals-week-6/

10 Easy Crock-Pot Freezer Meals
http://www.mommysfabulousfinds.com/2013/10/easy-crock-pot-freezer-meals-2.html

Three Month Update

Anne is getting so big and started to really show her personality.  She is still very much a daddy's girl and Steve loves it.  In the last month, we have celebrated both her first Christmas and her first New Years Eve.

Anne's first "play date" with TJ Bone.  TJ is about 2 months younger than Anne.

Anne just loves her new exersaucer.  I can't wait to watch her discovery everything that she can do. 

She loves her play mat.

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Weight: Before Christmas, she was 10 lbs, 6 ounces, but she is probably over 11 pounds now.  She is getting so tall too.

Eating: She still loves to eat every 1 to 2 hours during the day.

Sleeping: We are still working with the same bedtime routine, with a changes now and then if it's not working. She usually sleeps between 3 and 5 hours before waking up again for a new diaper and a snack.  Christmas morning, she slept for 8 hours straight. Merry Christmas, mommy!

She will occasionally refuse to nap, but when she does she naps for between 2-4 hours during the day.

Milestones & Firsts: Well, everything is new for her.  

Some noteworthy things were:

* We loves to see her smile.  She is definitely recognizing us and will smile when she sees us. It just melts my heart every time.

* I added book time to her morning routine.  Her favorite books are My Favorite Bible Promises and Counting with Baby Mickey.

* Her favorite toys are her zebra and the bed box on her play mat.  She is also getting used to the exersaucer that we got out on NYE.

* She is still not a big fan of tummy-time, but she is getting better.  She can hold her head up while in a seated position.

* She is starting to make more sounds. I swear sometimes she says, "Oh mom" when she needs me.  I'm sure it's just my imagination.

* We celebrated her first Christmas last month with the reading of the Christmas story and opening her stocking on Christmas morning.

Hello 2014: Reflection on 2013

Today, I looked at my reflections from 2012.  2012 was a year of pain and growth and 2013 was a
 year of blessings and recovery.  I can't wait to see what 2014 has in store for us.

 

Anne at 5 weeks with a beautiful heartbeat.

Anne at 12 weeks outside.  We love her so much.

• Anne was definitely the biggest development of 2013.  The first weekend of February, Steve and I found out that Anne was on the way.  We were overjoyed and terrified.  Two weeks later, we heard a heartbeat, her heartbeat, for the first time.  For the next 8 months, I felt her grow and develop inside me.  We celebrated every milestone with excitement.

•  Our Wycliffe ministry continued to grow in 2013.  We love being a part of such an important ministry.  We are a part of ending Bible poverty around the world.  There is still so much more work that needs to be done.
• Steve and I celebrated our 6th wedding Anniversary on May 5th.  I love Steve more and more every day.  He is a great husband and father.

• My sister got married on May 25th and was privileged to be the Matron of Honor.
• On October 9th at 2am, my water broke and we headed to the hospital.  At 4:17pm, our beautiful rainbow entered our world.  She is perfect in every way.  We have loved watching her grow and learn new things.  Today, she is 12 weeks old.